The immigration lawyer Willy Allen hinted this week that there could be good news for Cubans holding the I-220A document before this Wednesday, although he clarified that he does not have a verified source and prefers to wait for confirmation before making a formal announcement.
The statement was made during the program hosted by Tania Costa, where the presenter summarized the lawyer's position: "He has already said that we might have news about the I-220A, but he does not have a verified source and prefers to wait and see if anything happens by Wednesday. Let's keep our fingers crossed."
Allen himself expressed his preference for lawyer Liudmila Marcelo to deliver the news if it is ultimately confirmed. “In reality, if anything happens, I prefer that Liudmila Marcelo has the pleasure of telling you. She tells it better. She is sweeter, more decent, more pleasant,” he said.
The announcement generated anticipation among thousands of Cubans who closely follow any developments in this lengthy immigration process. The I-220A is an order of supervision issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing a person to remain out of custody while their case remains open; however, it is not considered parole nor a formal admission into the United States, a matter currently under review by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
That distinction is key: the Cuban Adjustment Act requires that one has been "admitted or granted parole" to apply for permanent residency after one year and one day in the country, which leaves holders of the I-220A in a migratory limbo.
The latest legal landscape includes a ruling from the 11th Circuit on February 23, 2026 that overturned previous decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals and remanded the cases for further review, with binding effect in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, but without mandating automatic residency.
In July 2026, judges in Orlando, New Orleans, and San Antonio granted residency to some Cubans with I-220A, but the federal government immediately appealed those decisions, putting them on hold.
This judicial pressure is compounded by a new procedural burden. Since August 1, 2026, a federal rule has come into effect that sends many Cubans with an I-220A directly to immigration court without a prior interview with an asylum officer.
Regarding the timelines, Allen had estimated in July 2026 that a final decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals could arrive between October and November of that year, while Luzmila Marcelo projected a resolution between January and February 2027.
On August 1st, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar issued a warning to Cubans with I-220A regarding attempts to forge documents or obtain a parole through notaries.
While the community waits, Allen left a message of patience for those who have already received the acknowledgment of their residency application: "If you received the receipt, the residency is coming. Take a deep breath and be patient."
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